MUSIC MAN: Maryann Grace, Executive Director at the Bridge at Cherry Hill, enjoys a lighter moment with guitarist Marc Deschenes during Sunday’s Grandparents Day in Johnston.

Submitted photo

Posted
Friday, September 14, 2018 1:29 pm

By Pete Fontaine

When it comes to sharing and caring – as well as special celebrations – The Bridge at Cherry Hill is second to none.

Take National Assisted Living Week, for example, which has more than surpassed the event’s theme “Capture the Moment” at the award-wining Johnston based retirement center – and the week’s not even over.

With Executive Director Maryann Grace and Sales/Community Relations Director Jen Buns showing the way, The Bridge kickoff NALW Sunday with an extraordinary Grandparent’s Day Brunch that featured everything, including two carving stations of smoked bone-in ham and prime rib.

The sumptuous smorgasbord also included everything from applewood bacon, Cajun rubbed salmon and delicious desserts like homemade apple crisp crumble and Italian cannoli’s made especially for the day by Chef Martin Carter and his expert kitchen crew.

Meanwhile, family and friends enjoyed The Bridge’s signature red carpet treatment and Grace – as well as Burns – made their way from table-to-table greeting “our adopted grandparents” and making sure each and every guest was enjoying the event.

Monday was Country Western Day and Tuesday was reserved for Patriots Day when The Bridge at Cherry Hill honored local heroes as well as veterans who live inside the well-appointed retirement and assisted living facility during a special luncheon that again featured a variety of foods created by Carter and his culinary staff.

“We were thrilled to have so many of our local heroes here today,” Burns said in regards to members of the Johnston Police and Fire Departments who helped make Patriots Day special for nine resident veterans. “One of the most memorable and heartfelt moments for me was when each first responder took the time to shake hands and personally thank all of our veterans here at The Bridge at Cherry Hill.”

Black and White Day was yesterday with today’s event listed as Capture Your Passion Day and, in keeping with The Bridge’s tradition of serving fantastic foods, will feature grilled hamburgers with or without cheese, streamed hot dogs, Memphis seasoned chicken wings and blackened salmon, just to name a few mouth-watering creations from Carter’s kitchen.

Tomorrow, beginning sometime around 4 o’clock, The Bridge will close out NALW with its always-colorful and exciting Cruise Night and Sock Hop that in year’s past has attracted some of the most extraordinary vintage vehicles in and around northern Rhode Island.